Former Spartak Moscow midfielder Fernando on Ukraine conflict and career path
Former Spartak Moscow footballer Fernando recently spoke about his experiences in Ukraine and his hopes for a rapid resolution to the ongoing conflict. In an interview with Sports Express, the Brazilian midfielder reflected on how the war affected his personal and professional life in the region, acknowledging the deep ties he has in both Ukraine and Brazil.
When Fernando first arrived in Ukraine, the hostilities had already begun. He shared that he and his teammates lived in Donetsk for a year before relocating to Kyiv due to the shelling in Donbas. The move underscored the volatility that players faced off the pitch, influencing decisions about where to train, stay, and compete at the highest levels of football.
Despite the distance and the political divide, he remains connected to friends across both countries. He noted that maintaining contact with those on opposite sides of the conflict is challenging and that discussing politics is not something he can resolve from afar. He emphasized his hope for peace and an end to the conflict as soon as feasible, underscoring a human desire for stability beyond sport.
Fernando joined Shakhtar in 2013, a move that placed him at the heart of Ukrainian football during a turbulent period. Yet, a year later, as many Brazilian players contemplated options due to the evolving situation in the country, he expressed a wish to explore opportunities elsewhere. In the summer of 2015, he transferred to Sampdoria in Italy, before eventually returning to Russia to play for Spartak Moscow.
During his tenure with Spartak Moscow from 2016 to 2019, Fernando featured in 98 matches across all competitions, contributing 12 goals and 10 assists. Those numbers reflect not only his skill but also his resilience in adapting to different leagues and styles amid a shifting football landscape in Eastern Europe.
At present, the midfielder is part of the UAE club Al Jazeera. In the current season, he has appeared in 16 matches across all competitions, recording 3 goals and 1 assist. This performance illustrates his continuing influence and experience on the field, adding valuable depth to his team’s offensive and creative play.
In a broader context, Fernando’s career also intersects with broader transfer dynamics in football. There have been reports about clubs in Portugal and elsewhere addressing restrictions or policies related to selling players to Russian teams. This ongoing conversation about transfers reflects how geopolitical tensions can shape the careers of players and the strategies of clubs across Europe and the Middle East. The Brazilian player’s journey thus becomes a lens through which fans can observe how football users navigate the pressures of conflict, migration, and professional ambitions in the modern game. Attribution: Sports Express